Comrade, What the Hell?!

So the carpet in the bathroom just at the sink has not been drying out the way it should. It soon became clear that there was some sort of plumbing leak involving the adjacent tub. God knows I'm not the kind of guy to go around flinging water everywhere.

So Ludmilla called the building's owner for me. I was asked to meet the plumber at my place at 7:30. I ran home and waited. He finally shows up at nine. He goes into the bathroom and knocks around in there for a while. He comes back out and indicates with a thumbs-up that all is well. He leaves. I decide to make some dinner.

Mid-slice through a wedge of Russian cheese, the insistent chime of the doorbell rings again. Now it's the original plumber plus another guy. I don't know what's up but they tromp in and head for the bathroom. They knock around in there for a while then tuck into the WC.


I don't know what's going on in there. They've opened the panel behind the toilet. Then after a few minutes they come out all smiles. I say, "Okay? Da?" One of them says, "Nyet." And then he makes a gesture that he needs something to write on. I give him a pad and pen and he scribbles out the following:


300 Roubles?! These guys are actually trying to shake me down for 300 Roubles?!

The tough part about not being able to speak the language is that you can't argue with them. It was late. I was tired. I didn't feel like turning it into an international incident. I didn't have any hunskies so I had to give them a 500. They left happy (why not?!).

But I soon discover after a trip to the WC that they've turned off the water to the toilet. I root around in the plumbing behind the wall until I find the appropriate valve to restore the water. But then I realize that these guys have clomped mud all over my apartment.


The bathroom and WC are carpeted so it's not exactly easy to clean. So not only do I get an ambiguous repair, a turned off valve, and a muddy floor, I get the singular privilege of paying 500 Roubles for the honor.